Although manual picking and selection still has a part to play, automated separation of the aluminium packaging is the only way to maximise separation and recovery. Operations with only pickers should consider investing in an Eddy Current Separator to recover the aluminium and an Overband Magnet to separate the steel. This would then allow the pickers to focus on more challenging material identification and selection such as different plastic types.

Also many plants have been operating for a long period of time and technology that was purchased at the plant conception is either under-performing or has been replaced with new and better separation technology.

It will be interesting to see how many operators of and those responsible for investment and procurement in recycling plants will visit the RWM exhibition. We hope that the aisles will be flooded with people.

Hopefully, the discussion about the latest aluminium packaging recycling rates will move away from how data is anaylsed and presented towards what needs to be done to improve the efficiency of our existing recycling facilities.